A systematic review of the relationship between household food insecurity and childhood undernutrition
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2023
Abstract
Background This systematic review aims to investigate the association between household food insecurity (HFIS) and undernutrition in children under 5 years old, thereby informing policymakers on the vital factors needed to be considered in tailoring an effective strategy to tackle childhood undernutrition and ultimately HFIS. Methods We performed a systematic review that examined household food insecurity among the undernourished under-five children. PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO Host, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from 1 January 2012 to 1 April 2022, for relevant articles. Outcome measures were stunting, underweight or wasting. Of the 2779 abstracts screened, 36 studies that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. A range of tools had been used to measure HFIS, the most common being Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. HFIS has been found to be significantly associated with undernutrition, particularly stunting and underweight. This is observed proportionately across all national income levels. Conclusions Sustainable and inclusive economic growth, which aims to reduce income, education and gender inequality, should be a key policy goal in the minimizing food insecurity and childhood undernutrition. Multisectoral interventions are needed to address these issues.
Keywords
Household food insecurity, Stunting, Undernutrition, Underweight, Wasting
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Research Management Centre, University of Malaya [Grant No: RMF002-2020]
Publication Title
Journal of Public Health in Africa
Volume
45
Issue
4
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publisher Location
GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND